There seems to be cracks in the ceasefire agreement between the Federal Government and the dreaded Boko Haram sect as it has been revealed by top military brass that a faction of the sect could derail the ceasefire deal.
This latest development is coming on the heels of the recent series of attacks that have been traced to members of the sect in Abadam and Dzur, Borno State communities, on Saturday and the attack on Shaffa, another town in the state, by the suspected members of the sect on Sunday, leaving about 19 people dead.
It will be recalled that the Nigerian government announced on Friday that it had agreed a ceasefire with Boko Haram, but the sect has not confirmed the truce and since the announcement, there have been, at least, five attacks – blamed by security sources on the insurgents.
There have been different divergent views from analysts who say the sect is divided into various factions who, although using the same name, are driven by different aims with some being motivated by internal politics, while others appear to have ideological links with other Islamist extremists such as al-Qaeda.
A source said the military was afraid that the Boko Haram leaders needed to act fast to save the integrity of the ceasefire, especially following attacks on Borno villages on Saturday and Sunday.
“There are fears of a faction of Boko Haram threatening the ceasefire accord. But the government believes their leaders would keep their words,” a source said.
The sect reportedly killed no fewer than 30 civilians around Gwoza town and another five in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State recently.
Nine persons were also reportedly killed in Dzur and Abadam between Friday evening and Saturday morning, as they were jubilating over the ceasefire.
The Boko Haram sect attacked Shaffa village of Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State for the second time in less than one month and killed about 19 people.
According to resident of the town, the sect attacked and killed eight villagers along the Zhur forest, before they headed to Shaffa town, where they clashed with vigilante, leaving eight members of the insurgents and three locals dead.
The town came under attack barely 48 hours after security operatives raided the town and arrested seven suspected members of the sect, said to be indigenes of the area.
Meanwhile, it was, however, gathered that the first batch of the girls could be on their way home as early as tomorrow.
As negotiations continue today in Chad, a top military source said that there is hope for the release of the girls today.
The source also said the Federal Government was already aware and set to meet some of the conditions set by the terrorists to enhance the release of the girls.
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